TexShare, the statewide library resource sharing program in Texas, now encompasses 650 public and academic libraries throughout the state. Initiated in 1993 as a program of the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board for the publicly funded academic libraries, the TexShare Library Consortium was enacted in legislation and placed under management of the Texas State Library and Archives Commission in 1997. Community college libraries as well as libraries of independent institutions were added at that time. Public libraries were included in the program during the 1999 legislative session

Throughout its history, the vision of TexShare has been to increase the intellectual productivity of the students, faculty, and general citizenry of the state by sharing information quickly and affordably. Public libraries were included specifically to "improve the educational resources in the community," emphasizing the continuing focus on education.

The goal is to provide services that enable each library to better meet its unique mission. From the smallest and largest public libraries to the most specialized medical centers to our prestigious private universities, each can benefit from the information and programs of TexShare. Woven together, the TexShare programs form the infrastructure upon which we are building library services for distance learners as well as for traditional learners - serving all of our institutions.

TexShare has been a member-driven program from the outset, guided by the following principles:* participation in all TexShare programs is at the option of the individual library* many opportunities for grassroots participation in working groups must be available* strong contributions from both the largest and smallest libraries are essential to the success of the program, and* member libraries should pay a modest fee for many programs.Thus, the program is true to its Texas roots of independence and practicality.

From its inception in 1993 as a library resource sharing program for publicly-funded four-year academic and medical institutions of higher education in the state of Texas, the very success of TexShare has brought about a continuing evolution of the program. Over the past seven years, program oversight has been vested in two state agencies, program management has been shared among five separate organizations, and membership has increased from 50 to 650 libraries.

Planning, both strategic and programmatic, has been a strong component of TexShare. An initial year-long planning process provided opportunities for each TexShare library to voice their opinions on programs and services through focus groups, site visits, and writtencomments. Using the results of the planning process as a basis for the TexShare program, the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board awarded successive TexShare management contracts to Texas A&M University / University of Houston and later to a partnership of the University of Texas at Austin and Amigos Library Services.

The need for a stable home for the business relationships inherent in library resource sharing programs led in 1997 to the establishment of TexShare as a program of the Texas State Library and Archives Commission. A subsequent round of strategic planning sessions in early 1998 resulted in the initiative to include public libraries in the TexShare membership. Legislative action in 1999 accomplished that goal. A recommendation has been made for a TexShare 2000 strategic planning effort to set the directions for the next phase of this unique program serving all the citizens of the state through 650 libraries.

TexShare is a cooperative program designed to improve library services to Texans, and to help member libraries fulfill their unique missions. It is a program of the Texas State Library and Archives Commission. There are many parties instrumental to the success of TexShare. Formally, responsibility for TexShare, as for all State Library programs, lies with the State Library Commission and the State Librarian. The TexShare Roles and Responsibilities Statement includes the following additional partners: State Library staff, Chair of the TexShare Advisory Board, TexShare Advisory Board, Working Groups, TexShare Member Institutions, Strategic Partners.

Historically TexShare has been a member driven organization. It began as an initiative of the publicly funded academic institutions in Texas (funded in 1994 under the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board), and grew to include private academic institutions and community colleges (1997). During this period member institutions and Amigos managed TexShare under contract to the THECB. In 1997 responsibility for TexShare was moved to the State Library. The University of Texas at Austin continued its role of providing technical support and Amigos continued to provide administrative support. In 1999 the Library Resource Sharing division of the State Library was fully staffed and began assuming full administrative responsibility. As of September 1, 1999, public libraries are also TexShare members.

From its inception in 1993 as a library resource sharing program for publicly-funded four-year academic and medical institutions of higher education in the state of Texas, the very success of TexShare has brought about a continuing evolution of the program. Over the past seven years, program oversight has been vested in two state agencies, program management has been shared among five separate organizations, and membership has increased from 50 to 650 libraries.

Planning, both strategic and programmatic, has been a strong component of TexShare. An initial year-long planning process provided opportunities for each TexShare library to voice their opinions on programs and services through focus groups, site visits, and writtencomments. Using the results of the planning process as a basis for the TexShare program, the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board awarded successive TexShare management contracts to Texas A&M University / University of Houston and later to a partnership of the University of Texas at Austin and Amigos Library Services.

The need for a stable home for the business relationships inherent in library resource sharing programs led in 1997 to the establishment of TexShare as a program of the Texas State Library and Archives Commission. A subsequent round of strategic planning sessions in early 1998 resulted in the initiative to include public libraries in the TexShare membership. Legislative action in 1999 accomplished that goal. A recommendation has been made for a TexShare 2000 strategic planning effort to set the directions for the next phase of this unique program serving all the citizens of the state through 650 libraries.

TexShare provides a variety of programs and services to members libraries. Following is a summary of the programs supported and managed by TexShare working groups and strategic partners:

TexShare Card Working Group Patrons from participating TexShare libraries can borrow materials on-site, directly from other TexShare libraries. Schools of Medicine and Law may choose to limit loans to graduate students and faculty of participating TexShare libraries. Last year 75% of the TexShare libraries participated, issuing 18, 816 cards and loaning 51,842 books.

Courier Service Working Group TExpress Courier Service: TexShare libraries can benefit from a state-wide courier service at very favorable pricing. Deliveries are only to/from participating TexShare libraries. Participation is optional for the five-day service. TExpress has over 100 members. From January to August 1999, libraries sent 88,294items by courier.

Education Working Group TexShare provided training through the Texas State Library for technicians of libraries’ technical infrastructure, an introduction to TexShare services for administrators of new members, training in the use of the Ovid interface for public services librarians, and training based on member needs.

Electronic Information Working Group TexShare combines the buying power of its members to obtain affordable access to electronic indexes and full-text articles. There are two tiers of databases: Core – 75% subsidized by TexShare – and TexShare Select – optional, unsubsidized, and using group purchasing power to cut costs. The databases are managed by technical staff at the UT Austin Library.

InterLibrary Loan Protocol Working Group TexShare libraries assist each other by agreeing to provide requested materials free to each other’s patrons through interlibrary loan. This Group publishes the TexShare ILL protocol and individual library policies on the TexShare Web, promotes the use of Ariel document transmission stations, and maintains the LOANSTAR listserve. Between September 1998 and June 1999, 144,588 loans were process by TexShare libraries.

Texas Collections Working Group Through the TexTreasures grant program TexShare assists libraries in converting information to digital formats and in creating electronic information about special or unique collections making access to new electronic content available to researchers across the state. Projects funded included processing the archives of Texas Monthly magazine, transcribing oral histories, and cataloging early Texas maps. The available pool last year was $100,000 and the maximum grant was $20,000.

Technology Platform The University of Texas at Austin, under contract with the TSLAC, procures, manages, and provides technical support for a hardware/software platform that supports locally loaded content (licensed from information vendors) and the TexShare Website. Staff at UT Austin also assist in the selection and procurement of the licensed information content made available to Texshare members institutions.